"I felt ashamed standing in front of the Prophet’s grave. I thought of the grave mistake which I had made by producing that sacrilegious film. I hope that Allah will forgive me and accept my repentance."

Van Doorn used to be a leading member of the Party for Freedom in Netherlands, headed by the notorious Geert Wilders.

In 2008 he helped market a short film produced by Wilders entitled 'Fitna' (sedition) in which Islam is portrayed as a religion that promotes violence and terrorism.

The 49-year-old politician has gained notoriety in Europe and beyond in recent years for his strident criticism of the religion arguing that "moderate Islam" does not exist and that Muhammad, if alive today, would be "hunted down as a terrorist".

He has also campaigned against the "islamification of Europe" and called for a ban on the Koran, which he has compared to Hitler's Mein Kampf.